Inflatable wig stand

ABSTRACT

An inflatable wig stand including a simulated head portion upon which a wig may be placed. The inflatable wig stand includes a base which supports the simulated head portion and means is provided for tightly securing the base to a flat horizontal surface.

nited States Patent 1191 Newsteder 1 Dec. 11., 1973 [54] INFLATABLE WIG STAND 1,436,330 11/1922 Wiener 223/67 3,465,926 9/1969 Schwartz et al. 223/67 [75] Inventor: Newstede" souh Orange 3,257,048 6 1966 Wolder 223 67 3,339,717 9/1967 Rakowitz 206 47 3,465,927 9/1969 Belokin 1 223/67 [73] Asslgnee' Just Orange 3,433,395 3/1969 06mm 223/67 [22] Filed: May 31, 1972 3,568,899 3/1971 Rosenberg 223/66 [21] Appl' No; 258,460 Primary ExaminerGeorge V. Larkin [52] US. Cl. 223/67 [51] Int. Cl A45d 44/14 [57] T 58 Field of Search 223/66, 67 An Inflatable wig Stand mcludmg a Simulated head portion upon which a wig may be placed. The inflat- 5 References Cited able wig stand includes a base which supports the sim- UNITED STATES PATENTS ulated head portion and means is prov1ded for t1ghtly 662 335 11/1900 B I 223/67 X securing the base to a flat horizontal surface.

a1 ey 3,392,952 7/1968 Bonner 223/67 X 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures INFLATABLE wrc STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Inflatable wig stand.

2. Description of the Prior Art There has been a recent ursurge in the use of wigs by women. There are many reasons for the increased popularity in the use of wigs and perhaps the most compelling reason is the versatility a wig provides. As an example, a woman having short hair can, if desired, by the use of a wig give an appearance of having longer hair. Another reason why wigs are so popular is that many times a woman will find her hair wet as a result of swimming or some other activity and not have sufficient time to go to the beauty parlor to have her hair set. When this occurs, many women have found it desirable after their hair dries to use a wig which is convenient and provides an attractive appearance while avoiding a trip to the beauty parlor or a lengthy hair-setting session at home.

Most wigs include a support net to which the hairs (either synthetic or natural) are secured. The net is configured to match the shape of a womans head. In order that the wig maintains its desired appearance, it is necessary that, when it is not in use, it is secured on a stand which includes a simulated head matching the shape of a womans head. In the past many of the wig stands were made out of polystryene or wood and included a simulated head section, a rod and a base. The rod connected the head section to the base so that the wig stand was able to remain in an upright position when required.

While this type of wig stand was perfectly satisfactory insofar as maintaining the shape of the wig was concerned, it did have certain drawbacks which limited its usefulness. Perhaps the most significant drawback was that the wig stand occupied a substantial volume of space and thus was cumbersome to take on trips. Additionally, the prior art wig stands described herein were relatively expensive which, of course, was undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved wig stand.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wig stand which is light in weight and relatively inexpensive.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved wig stand which can be compactly stored when not in use.

Yet a further object of'the present invention is to provide an improved wig stand capable of achieving the above and other objects and which is economical to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by an inflatable wig stand. The wig stand is made of an air impervious material which is relatively inelastic. The inflatable wig stand includes a simulated head portion and a neck portion. A web surrounds the neck portion and contiguous therewith is an inflatable donut-shaped base portion. Air conduits located on the web place the donutshaped base portion in fluid communication with the interior of the simulated neck and head portions.

The bottom of the donut-shaped base portion lies in a horizontal plane when the inflatable wig stand is inflated for a purpose that will soon be apparent. Secured to the simulated head portion of the inflatable wig stand are holding loops which can be pieces of material integral with said simulated head portion. The entire inflatable wig stand is airtight and a valve is provided for allowing air to be directed to the interior thereof or removed therefrom.

When the inflatable wig stand is not in use the valve is opened and the stand is compressed by applying external pressure thereto so that all the air in the interior thereof is directed to the atmosphere. The inflatable wig stand then occupies a minimum amount of space and can be conveniently packed and stored.

When it is desired to inflate the wig stand the valve is opened and air is directed to the interior of the inflatable wig stand. This can be conveniently done by a person placing the valve stem in his mouth and exhaling into the valve. The continued introduction of air into the interior of the inflatable wig stand causes the same to inflate. When a sufficient amount of air has been introduced into the interior of the inflatable wig stand the simulated head and neck portions are upright with respect to the donut-shaped base. The inflatable wig stand can be placed on a flat surface such as a table top, a dresser top, etc. and a wig can be placed thereon. Since the shape of the simulated head portion matchesthe shape of the head of a person, the wig can be placed thereon without slipping off. If desired, bobby pins may be secured to the wig and the holding loops for securing the wig to the inflatable wig stand.

By applying a temporary downward external force to the uppermost portion of the simulated head portion of the inflatable wig stand after the same has been inflated and the donut-shaped base is resting on a horizontal surface a suction is created which securely holds the inflatable wig stand on the surface. The reason for this is that the downward force applied to the simulated head portion causes the web to move downwardly and decrease the volume formed by the bottom of the web, the donut-shaped base portion and the horizontal surface the bottom of the donut-shaped base portion is in contact with. As a result thereof air is forced from said volume to ambient underneath the bottommost portion of the donut-shaped base.

When the force is removed from the upper part of the simulated head portion the web returns to a horizontal position. The bottom of the donut-shaped base forms an airtight seal with the horizontal surface the inflatable wig stand is resting on so that no air can be directed thereto. As a consequence, there is a slight suction within the volume as a result of the web moving upwardly which acts to securely hold the inflatable wig stand in contact with the surface.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the device hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternate form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings an inflatable wig stand is shown according to the present invention. Inflatable wig stand 10 can be made out of any material which is impervious to air and substantially non elastic. Such materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art and one material that can be used with excellent results is poly vinyl.

Inflatable wig stand 10 includes a simulated head portion 14 having an enclosed inflatable interior which is configured so that when the inflatable wig stand is in flated said simulated head will approximately match the shape of the head of a human female. Secured to the uppermost portion of simulated head 14 are a plurality of holding loops 16. Holding loops 16 consist of strips of poly vinyl approximately 1% inches in width with the free ends of said strips secured to simulated head 14. Holding loops 16a and 16b are in the same side of simulated head 14 and are symmetrically positioned with respect to the most elevated portion thereof. Holding loops 16c and 16d are on the opposite side of simulated head 14 as are holding loops 16a and 16b. Holding loop 160 is substantially in registry with holding loop 16a and holding loop 16d is substantially in registry with holding loop 16b. It is noted that the base of holding loops 16a and 16b are coplanar as is the case with the base of holding loops 16c and 16d.

Beneath the bottom portion of simulated head 14 and in fluid communication therewith is a neck 18 having an enclosed inflatable interior which has a smaller cross section than simulated head 14. The bottommost portion of neck 18 is spanned by a web 20. Web 20 does not get inflated when the inflatable wig stand is inflated and serves a purpose that will soon be apparent. Surrounding web 20 is a donut-shaped base 22 having an enclosed inflatable interior which has a configuration similar to that of an inner tire. Air conduits 24 extend along web 20 and place the interior of simulated head 14 and neck 18 in fluid communication with donutshaped base 22. The number of air conduits that are utilized for the present invention is a matter of choice and it is to be appreciated that the four such conduits shown in the drawings are merely illustrative.

A valve 26 is located on a segment of base 22 and includes a stem 28. A pocket is formed on base 22 adjacent stem 28 so that the same may be folded thereinto preventing communication between ambient and the interior of base 22. Of course, if desired, other means may be provided for introducing air into the interior of the inflatable wig stand of the present invention.

When the inflatable wig stand of the present invention is not being used, valve stem 28 can be placed in communication with ambient and a force applied to the exterior of said inflatable wig stand so that all the air in the interior thereof is directed to ambient through the valve stem. The inflatable wig stand is then limp and occupies a minimum amount of space and can be conveniently stored.

When it is desired to use the inflatable wig stand, valve stem 26 is removed from its pocket and air is directed therethrough to the interior of base 22 and through conduits 24 to neck 18 and simulated head 14. The preferred means of inflating the inflatable wig stand is for the user thereof to exhale into stem 26. After the inflatable wig stand has been fully inflated the stem is folded and placed in its pocket so that no air can pass therethrough. When the inflatable wig stand is fully inflated, neck 18 and head 14 are in a fully upright position.

Prior to using the inflatable wig stand it is desirable to apply a temporary downward force to the uppermost portion of simulated head 18. This is because the bottommost portion of base 22, when the inflatable wig stand is inflated and when the same is resting on a horizontal surface, forms an air seal and is in the same plane as the horizontal surface. The depression of the simulated head 14 causes web 20 to move downwardly pulling the inside portions of base 22 slightly inwardly. This decreases the volume of the space formed by the horizontal surface, base 22 and web 20. As a result, the pressure in said space rises above atmospheric pressure forcing air outwardly therefrom to ambient. The air is transferred to ambient by forcing the air outwardly beneath the bottom of the base. The removal of the force from the top of simulated head 14 results in web 20 returning to a horizontal position. This has the effect of increasing the space formed beneath the web and by base 22 and the horizontal surface the inflatable wig stand is in contact with reducing the pressure therein slightly below that of atmospheric. As a consequence thereof, there is a slight suction in the space which pulls the bottom portions of base 22 in tight contact with the horizontal surface the inflatable wig stand is resting on. Consequently a stability is imparted to the inflatable wig stand which prevents the same from toppling over when in use.

Instead of pressing down on head 14 a downward force can be applied to web 20 with the same results.

The wig which is to be supported is placed on simulated head 14 of the inflatable wig stand. Since said simulated head matches the shape of a human females head the wig retains its shape and is ready for instantaneous use. If desired, bobby pins can be used to clip selected portions of the wig to the holding loops.

As a result of the stability of the inflatable wig stand a wig located thereon can be combed or otherwise treated as the owner may desire.

In FIG. 5 of the drawings an alternate embodiment according to the present invention is shown. The only difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4 is that in the FIG. 5 embodiment there are no air conduits formed on the web. The simulated head and simulated neck portion are not in fluid communication with the base. Accordingly, a first valve is provided for the simulated head and neck portion and a second valve is provided for the base portion. The operation of the FIG. 5 embodiment is as previously described in conjunction with the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 through 4 except that in the FIG. 5 embodiment each valve must be utilized to inflate the wig stand.

It is further noted that the number of pieces of material which are used to form the inflatable wig stand is a matter of choice as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that an inflatable wig stand is provided which can be compactly stored when not in use and is light in weight. Additionally, the inflatable wig stand is relatively inexpensive. lf desired, an advertising message can be placed on the face portion of simulated head 14.

It thus will be seen that there is provided an inflatable wig stand which achieves the various objects of the invention and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for supporting a wig comprising an inflatable wig stand, said inflatable wig stand including an inflatable donut shaped base, a combined inflatable neck portion and head portion, means for introducing air under pressure into the interior of said inflatable donut shaped base, means for introducing air under pressure into the interior of said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion, means for maintaining the lowermost part of said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion within the confines of said inflatable donut shaped base when said inflatable wig stand is inflated, said maintaining means including a web surrounding and joined to the lowermost part of said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion and joined to said inflatable donut shaped base, and the bottommost part of said inflatable donut shaped base, upon said inflatable donut shaped base being inflated and said inflatable wig stand supported on a surface, resting on the surface and creating an airtight seal therewith so that air located in the space between said inflatable donut shaped base and said web and the surface cannot be transferred to ambient and so that am bient air cannot be transferred to the space whereby a subatmospheric pressure in the space is created by forcing said web downwardly and forcing air from the space beneath the bottom of said inflatable donut shaped base for securely fastening said inflatable wig stand to the surface.

2. Apparatus according to claim I further including means secured to said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion for securing a wig. 

1. Apparatus for supporting a wig comprising an inflatable wig stand, said inflatable wig stand including an inflatable donut shaped base, a combined inflatable neck portion and head portion, means for introducing air under pressure into the interior of said inflatable donut shaped base, means for introducing air under pressure into the interior of said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion, means for maintaining the lowermost part of said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion within the confines of said inflatable donut shaped base when said inflatable wig stand is inflated, said maintaining means including a web surrounding and joined to the lowermost part of said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion and joined to saiD inflatable donut shaped base, and the bottommost part of said inflatable donut shaped base, upon said inflatable donut shaped base being inflated and said inflatable wig stand supported on a surface, resting on the surface and creating an airtight seal therewith so that air located in the space between said inflatable donut shaped base and said web and the surface cannot be transferred to ambient and so that ambient air cannot be transferred to the space whereby a subatmospheric pressure in the space is created by forcing said web downwardly and forcing air from the space beneath the bottom of said inflatable donut shaped base for securely fastening said inflatable wig stand to the surface.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means secured to said combined inflatable neck portion and head portion for securing a wig. 